KEY POINTS

  • League executives are still reeling from the surprising trade package the Denver Broncos put together for Russell Wilson
  • The Broncos made the move for Wilson following Aaron Rodgers' massive extension with the Green Bay Packers
  • A Super Bowl run could be in the cards if Broncos GM George Paton plays his cards right

The NFL landscape was suddenly turned on its head following the blockbuster trade between the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks, but a league general manager is holding off on passing judgment for now.

In a report by Jeff Howe of The Athletic, many of the league’s top decisionmakers and coaches were blindsided by the trade; understandably so as Wilson remains a Top-10 NFL quarterback based on ESPN’s rating metric.

Calling the Wilson trade a win for the Broncos is far from the mind of this anonymous league executive, claiming that “it’s only a win for Denver [Broncos] if they win the Super Bowl, (and) I don’t think they will be good enough.”

The final reported trade went as follows according to ESPN Senior NFL insider Adam Schefter:

  • Denver Broncos receive: QB Russell Wilson, 2022 fourth-round pick
  • Seattle Seahawks receive: QB Drew Lock, TE Noah Fant, DL Shelby Harris, two first-round picks (2022 – No.9 overall – and 2023), two second-round picks (2022 – No. 40 overall – and 2023), and a 2022 fifth rounder

At first glance, the Broncos seemed to have given up a lot of assets and they did, but the team has struggled to find a playcaller that could replicate the outstanding success that all-time great quarterback Peyton Manning put up in the mid-2010s.

Since Manning retired at the conclusion of the 2015 season, the Broncos have had 10 quarterbacks which included 2012 AFC Divisional round opponent Joe Flacco then of the Baltimore Ravens.

None of them obviously panned out for the franchise who has not entered the postseason following their Super Bowl 50 victory over the Carolina Panthers.

Curiously enough, the move came on the heels of the news that Aaron Rodgers had re-signed with the Green Bay Packers to the tune of a massive four-year, $200 million extension.

The Broncos are looking for consistency and the nine-time Pro Bowler is still capable of putting up big numbers.

Wilson revolutionized what a modern quarterback should look like when he entered the league as his capabilities as a dual-threat quarterback that can throw the deep ball with accuracy while also running circles around the defense.

Franchise general manager George Paton has done well for himself since being named to the position following John Elway stepping down from the position, accumulating a total of seven draft picks for the 2022 NFL draft even after the fallout of the Wilson trade.

Wilson will get to lead a talent-laden wide receiver corps of Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick while also having a promising young running back Javonte Williams at his disposal.

What the Broncos do during the draft and this offseason will determine how close they are to competing for a Super Bowl, but the future does look bright in the Mile High City.

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